We just completed our first ever Modern Post Conference.  There were delegates from Korea, Australia, Norway, Belgium, France, the U.K., the USA and UNI, our global union.  CUPW members from St John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, B.C. also participated.  It was a big success.

We learned we face similar issues despite coming from four different continents. These include:

• privatization and deregulation
• declining mail volumes
• post office closures and consolidations
• decreases in staffing levels
• increased night shift work
• the introduction of new mail processing equipment
• sequencing of mail to the line of delivery for letter carrier routes.

And we are all fighting back!

One of the most inspirational parts of the Conference was to learn about the struggles of postal workers everywhere.  Postal Workers from all parts of the globe are working hard to defend their rights and to fight for a postal service that meets the needs of people.

• The Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union from Australia ran a successful campaign “Hands off Aussie Post” to protect the postal service from deregulation.
• The French Postal workers, who are affiliated to the GGT labour central, launched a Hands Off my Post office movement.
• The Communication Workers Union from Great Britain is in the midst of a major struggle to save Royal Mail from privatization.
• Other European postal unions reported that as a result of a decision taken by the European Union, their post offices are being opened up for deregulation.  This is being opposed by many postal worker unions including those in Norway and Belgium.
• The Korean Postal Workers Union told us they are regularly facing threats of privatization.

Additional information from the International Modern Post Conference will be posted on our web www.cupw-sttp.org.

The struggle continues.